Homewood council adopts stricter camping rules, OKs two fiber franchises and $507,000 pavilion contract

The Homewood City Council voted 8-0 on Oct. 13 to adopt an ordinance tightening restrictions on camping and sleeping on public property, approve two fiber-optic franchise agreements and award a $507,000 construction contract for a new Shades Creek Greenway trailhead pavilion.

The actions, taken during the council’s Oct. 13 meeting at Homewood City Hall, include an ordinance that makes unauthorized camping and sleeping on public property unlawful without a permit, franchise ordinances authorizing Lumos and Unity Fiber to use city rights of way under contract terms, and the acceptance of a construction bid from Costin Construction for the trailhead pavilion near the soccer park.

Councilors said the encampment ordinance is intended to clarify enforcement tools for public safety and property while preserving the ability to amend the law later if problems arise. Councilor Waltney told the council the public safety committee voted to recommend the ordinance and the item moved forward on second reading. Mayor Alex Wyatt said the ordinance's intent is clear and that administration and enforcement can follow that intent; Wyatt added that any enforcement or administrative problems can be addressed by future amendments.

The new camping ordinance restricts camping and sleeping on public property without a permit, requires a pre-removal notice and a 24-hour posting before crews may remove belongings, and makes violation a misdemeanor punishable as provided in the city code. The ordinance text also bars sleeping in pedestrian or vehicle entrances and sets permit standards that include access to sanitary facilities and trash service. The council adopted the measure on a roll-call vote of 8-0; the ordinance was identified by the council during the meeting as ordinance number 2955.

On utilities and infrastructure, the council completed second reading and approval of a franchise agreement with Lumos, following a 4-0 recommendation out of finance. A Lumos representative (Brent) told the council the company will work with city engineering and permitting staff, provide construction schedules when available and coordinate customer-construction relations so disruptions are minimized. "We look forward to working with y'all," Brent said. That franchise was adopted as ordinance number 2956 on an 8-0 vote.

The council also approved a separate franchise ordinance with Unity Fiber Gulfco LLC that grants rights to construct and maintain a communications system in city rights of way under a 10-year term and requires restoration of any pavement or surface disturbed by excavation. City Attorney Mike Kendrick read the ordinance summary and the council approved it unanimously.

On capital projects, the finance committee recommended accepting the low bid from Costin Construction to build a Shade Creek Greenway trailhead pavilion. The council approved the $507,000 award 8-0; the action was recorded as resolution number 25-179.

Other items approved on unanimous votes included: - A first-reading/approval ordinance reserving two parking spaces adjacent to the City Hall plaza for Homewood Police Department vehicles to serve a new police substation located on the City Hall first floor. - A no-parking ordinance around the center circle at Wingate Circle. - Renewal of a commercial lease for space on City Hall’s third floor with Waldrop, Stewart & Kendrick LLP. - Temporary authority for the city manager to sign contracts and manage budget items through the end of October up to $350,000, until the newly elected council takes office Nov. 3. - Approval of city vouchers for the period Sept. 30–Oct. 13, 2025.

Several planning items were set for future procurement or hearings: the council set bid dates of Oct. 30, 2025, at 3:01 p.m. for the Homewood Public Library Phase 4 renovation and the Central Avenue TAP multimodal facility; multiple development-plan and rezoning public hearings were set for Nov. 24, 2025 at 6 p.m.

Votes at a glance (items the council approved Oct. 13): - Ordinance (encampment restrictions): Adopted, roll-call 8-0, cited as ordinance number 2955 (second reading and final adoption). - Ordinance (Lumos fiber franchise): Adopted, roll-call 8-0, ordinance number 2956 (second reading/adoption). - Ordinance (Unity Fiber franchise): Adopted, roll-call 8-0 (10-year franchise; excavation/restoration requirements). - Resolution (Shades Creek Greenway Trailhead Pavilion bid award to Costin Construction): Approved, $507,000, roll-call 8-0, resolution 25-179. - Ordinance (reserve two City Hall plaza parking spaces for Homewood Police Department substation): Adopted, roll-call 8-0, ordinance number 2958. - Ordinance (no parking around Wingate Circle center circle): Adopted, roll-call 8-0. - Lease renewal (Waldrop, Stewart & Kendrick LLP): Approved, roll-call 8-0, resolution 25-182. - Temporary budget/contract authority for city manager (through Nov. 3, $350,000 limit): Approved, roll-call 8-0. - Vouchers (09/30/2025–10/13/2025): Approved, roll-call 8-0.

What the council did not do: The council dropped a proposal to increase court fines after staff located an existing ordinance that allows judges to impose fines up to $500; no fee increase was adopted.

The meeting included routine procedural business (minutes and committee minutes approved, a BZA vacancy opened until Nov. 24) and a series of proclamations and ceremonial recognitions. The council set multiple planning public hearings and bid dates for later meetings.

The city clerk will publish ordinance and resolution texts as adopted; specific implementation details such as permit procedures, enforcement protocols and scheduling for franchise construction will be handled by city staff and reported back to the council as needed.